The biggest story in the Heartland Championship last year was not so much who made the Meads Cup final, but who did not.
South Canterbury — seeking a fourth straight title and hoping to maintain a frankly bonkers 39-game winning streak that stretched over five years — finally came undone when they fell to a 17-16 loss to neighbours Mid Canterbury in the semifinal.
That left Thames Valley, who beat Whanganui in the other semifinal, with unexpected hosting rights for the final, and they claimed their second Meads Cup with a 37-29 win over Mid Canterbury.
David Harrison and Joe Murray are coaching Thames Valley again, and the Swamp Foxes still have star kicker Quinn Collard, try-scoring flanker Laulea Mau and experienced duo Cam Dromgool and Connor McVerry on the roster.
Mid Canterbury can again call on steady playmaker Nathan McCloy and try-scoring machine Raitube Vasurakuta.
South Canterbury have coach Nigel Walsh at the helm for a seventh season as they seek to bounce back from last year’s disappointment, and the likes of Willie Wright, Kalavini Leatigaga, Anthony Amato, Solomone Lavaka and Paula Fifita will be highly motivated.
Whanganui have not won the Meads Cup since 2017, and will hope star centre Alekesio Vakarorogo and evergreen first five Dane Whale can lead them back to the promised land.
King Country and West Coast, who combined for a wild Lochore Cup final that King Country won 46-44, should be in the mix, along with Horowhenua-Kapiti.
East Coast again have former Highlanders winger Tevita Nabura as a loan player and Perrin Manuel holding up the front row, experienced fullback Tipene Haira and lock Sam Gammie are back for Wairarapa-Bush, captain and prop Anthony Ellis will seek to get Buller back on track, and the only way is up for Poverty Bay, beaten in all eight games last season.
